Cashing in on a retail trend
If you own a small retail business in a tough economy, every dollar counts. That’s why many small businesses have found that automated teller machines, or ATMs, are quick and easy money-makers. By installing one of the cash-dispensing machines, merchants reap not only the benefits of a small commission every time someone uses it, but Read More →
An idea that holds water
Some innovations seem to be born almost by osmosis; you put the right brains in one room and the great ideas just flow. At least that’s how the idea for Vapur was born. The start-up company, not even a year old, is the producer of a reusable, foldable plastic water bottle by the same name. Read More →
Let them eat cupcakes
Call it comfort food if you will, but cupcakes may just be the perfect recession-proof little indulgences. In the Tri-Counties, cupcake bakeries – or cupcakeries – have proliferated over the past two years, and their owners say they’re only getting more popular. Maybe it’s because the HBO series “Sex and the City” shows its characters Read More →
Zumbox goes coast-to-coast
Westlake Village-based Zumbox, the provider of a Web-based paperless mail platform, said Sept. 22 that it has rolled out its system in San Francisco and Newark, N.J. Zumbox is a more secure version of electronic mail that works by verifying residents’ physical address by mailing them a pass code to turn on their inbox. The Read More →
Riding it out
Tri-county surf shops have taken quite a beating during the past year’s storm of changing retail trends, poor surfing conditions and a down economy. Now they’re looking for new ways to ride it out. Doug Yartz, owner and manager of Goleta-based surf shop Surf Country, could only sum up his store’s sales performance in one Read More →
Fine dining is a family affair
Go to the Plug Nickel Restaurant for lunch during the work-week, and you’ll likely see a lot of suits and ties. The charming Westlake Village restaurant, known for its atmospheric dining, has sat tucked away in the city’s industrial park for 33 years. And now, the family-run business, which takes pride in offering its patrons Read More →
Spirit of Small Business 2009 photos
The Business Times and the Los Angeles District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration presented the 7th Annual Spirit of Small Business Awards on Aug. 6 at Fess Parker’s DoubleTree Resort. The event honored eight businesses as well as this year’s Small Business Advocate, Rudy Estrada of California State University, Channel Islands and was Read More →
